The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 paper leak fiasco saw a fresh twist on Thursday with the accused persons confessing before the police that question papers were arranged for certain candidates a day before the exam for which the aspirants shelled out close to Rs 30-32 lakh.
The shocking confession came from four persons arrested by the Bihar Police, including a NEET aspirant named Anurag Yadav, his uncle Sikandar Yadavendu - a junior engineer in the Danapur Municipal Council, and two others named Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, the purported mastermind behind the paper leak.
They admitted before the police that the question papers were provided to them a day before the NEET that was conducted on May 5.
Anurag Yadav confessed before the police that his uncle Sikander Yadavendu arranged the NEET papers for him in advance.
“I was preparing for NEET at the Allen Institute in Kota (Rajasthan). My uncle Sikander Yadavendu called me to Patna and took me to Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar, where I was given some questions and the answer keys for the exam. I was told to memorise all the answers. When I sat for the test the next day, I saw it had the same questions which were given to me on May 4. However, after the test, the police arrested me,” he said.
Sikander Yadavendu claimed that he was told by Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar about the paper leak before the test.
“Amit and Nitish told me that the question papers for NEET would be leaked and it would cost about Rs 30-32 lakh. I agreed and told them about four students -- Ayush Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Shivanand Kumar, and Abhishek Kumar. On May 4, I took all four students to a place where aspirants were already cramming up answers for all the questions.
"Out of greed, I asked for Rs 40 lakh from each student instead of the original amount. However, I was later caught by the police,” Yadavendu said, revealing the chain of events leading to the NEET paper leak.
Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, in their statement to the police, admitted their role in the paper leak and revealed how their collusion with Yadavendu led to their arrest.
“After Yadavendu was arrested, he directed the police towards us. The police also raided the spot where the students were given the leaked papers. They also found the remaining pieces of the burnt question papers,” the duo said in their statement to the police.
About 24 lakh aspirants appeared for NEET on May 5 for admission to medical colleges. The results were announced before time on June 5 but were marred by allegations of paper leak and awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates.
Colorful rally of Netaji Subhash Vidyaniketan dazzles in Agartala to mark Netaji’s birthday
Like every year, this year too, the colourful tableaus of Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan school here at Agartala rolled over the streets of the capital town and captivated all with its dazzling display of culture and heritage.
NCLAT stays CCI ban on WhatsApp, Meta evaluating next steps
Mark Zuckerberg-run Meta on Thursday said it welcomes the decision of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to stay the ban imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp and will evaluate next steps.
Delhi elections: Parties scale up poll campaign, top leaders to address rallies
With less than a fortnight to go for Delhi Assembly elections, the electioneering is reaching a feversish pitch with top leaders of respective parties hitting the streets to woo the electorate.
I-T raids on leading Tollywood filmmakers continue for third day
The raids were also continuing on the leading production houses Mythri Movie Makers and Mango Media. The department has not yet come out with a statement about the searches but it is believed that it identified a mismatch between the revenues earned by some recent movies and the income tax paid.
One of the greatest sons of Bharat Mata: Prez Murmu pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 127th birth anniversary, acknowledging his monumental role in India's freedom struggle and his enduring legacy.
India expects accountability on 2023 consulate attack in San Francisco: EAM Jaishankar
Nearly hours after meeting with newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that "India expects accountability" for the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in 2023 a "very serious matter" and those responsible to be held accountable.
Trump speaks with Saudi's Crown Prince, his first call with foreign leader since taking office
During the call, the Crown Prince congratulated Trump and conveyed the congratulations of King Salman to the President after being sworn in, wishing the American people further progress and prosperity.
Trump redesignates Iran-backed Houthi rebels as foreign terrorist organisation
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order designating Yemen's Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), reversing a Biden-era policy that had removed the group from the State Department's list of global terror groups.